The United States has issued an updated travel advice for Sri Lanka warning US citizens of possible violence ahead of the August 17 Parliamentary election.In the travel advice, US citizens have been advised to monitor local media and avoid political rallies and demonstrations. “Even peaceful rallies and demonstrations may turn violent,” the travel advice notes. The US has strongly recommend that US citizens living or traveling in Sri Lanka and the Republic of Maldives enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Two weeks ago the Australian Government had also issued a travel advice on Sri Lanka in relation to the Parliamentary election. (Colombo Gazette)read more